India’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup began with a clear statement of intent on Saturday as the BCCI dropped Shubman Gill from the 15-member squad, recalled Ishan Kishan on the back of domestic dominance, and named Axar Patel vice-captain for the global tournament to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The squad was finalised following a meeting of the BCCI Senior Men’s Selection Committee at the board’s headquarters in Mumbai. The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, after which captain Suryakumar Yadav and selection committee chairperson Ajit Agarkar addressed the media on the team’s composition and preparations.

Gill’s omission marks one of the most significant calls by the selectors in the T20 format. Once India’s T20I vice-captain, the opener has struggled to impose himself this year, managing 291 runs from 15 matches at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26, without a single half-century. His lean run was compounded by a subdued series against South Africa and a foot injury that ruled him out of the final two matches.

In contrast, Kishan has been rewarded for an exceptional Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. The left-hander topped the run charts with 517 runs from 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32, capping the season with a blistering 101 off 49 balls in the final to steer Jharkhand to their maiden title. The recall marks his return to the T20I set-up after more than two years.

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Axar’s elevation to vice-captaincy reflects his growing importance across formats. Fully recovered after missing the latter stages of the South Africa series due to illness, the all-rounder will shoulder additional leadership responsibility alongside Suryakumar, who remains unbeaten in T20I series as captain.

The squad will also serve as India’s group for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand from January 21 to 31, offering a crucial window to fine-tune combinations. India have leaned towards balance, opting for four spinners — Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar — while retaining a pace core led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

India open their World Cup campaign on February 7 against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Group fixtures include clashes against Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands, with the marquee India–Pakistan encounter scheduled for February 14 in Colombo.

With no host nation having ever won the T20 World Cup, India will attempt to turn familiarity into advantage across venues in India and Sri Lanka.